Systems and methods for improved modular laboratory furniture

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/883,146, filed on Sep. 26, 2013, the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to furniture and, more specifically, to a modular laboratory furniture and assembly and manufacture thereof.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

In these days of rapidly evolving technology and developing science, laboratories are challenged to increasingly adapt and change their laboratories space to the changing needs of the various projects from time to time. This requires an increasing adaptable and flexible furniture solution that is unique to laboratories. These require the integration and distribution of services such as electrical, gas, and other fluids to each work station that may also change or need to be easily changed. Existing modular furniture systems are often costly to reconfigure or change to meet the ever changing requirements of the modern laboratory.

SUMMARY

The inventors hereof have succeeded at designing a new and improved modular furniture assembly, system and method that provides laboratories with increased flexibility and lower cost of modification and changes over the life of the modern laboratory. These include features that all for improved flexibility in floor space utilization as well as installation and removal of work station services. These and other benefits will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the following specification and in view of the numerous exemplary embodiments described herein and in the drawing figures.

According to one aspect, In one embodiment, system for modular laboratory furniture having a work surface having a front edge, a back edge, two opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface with a subassembly positioned below the work surface and on which the work surface is mounted and supported, the subassembly having a back surface support and two opposing side surface supports and a pair of front legs. The system further includes a pair of back leg members each selectively couplable to the subassembly proximate to opposing back corners of the subassembly proximate to the intersection of one of the side work surface supports and an end of the back work surface support, each back leg member having an elongated cavity along a length of the back leg member extending downward from a top end thereof and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward from the side edge of the work surface and defining an elongated vertical opening into the elongated cavity of each back leg member. The system also includes a selectively attachable upper framework positionable above the back edge of the work surface, the upper framework having two opposing vertical support members supporting at least one horizontal member that extends between the two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a top end, a lower end, a vertical elongated cavity along its length, a cross-section that is about twice the size of a cross section of one of the back leg members, and an outward facing vertical elongated opening to the cavity, the cavity configured for receiving one or more utility distribution fixtures. The system further includes a mounting mechanism for mounting the lower end of the vertical support members of the upper framework to a top portion of the back leg members.

According to another aspect, wherein the work surface, subassembly, and the pair of front legs are each a first work surface, a first subassembly and a first pair of front legs, respectively. The system further includes a second work surface, a second subassembly, and a second pair of front legs, the second work surface being oriented 180 degrees from the first work surface with the back edges of each work surface being positioned adjacent to each other. The back leg members are dimensioned and configured for attachment to the back portions of each of the first and second subassemblies for commonly supporting both the first and second work surfaces, and for mounting the vertical support members.

According to another aspect, a system for modular laboratory furniture includes a leg support assembly having a pair of opposing leg members with an elongated cavity along a length extending downward from a top end thereof and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward and defining an elongated vertical opening into the elongated cavity of each leg member, the leg support assembly having a lateral member positioned between the two opposing leg members and having a surface mounting member positioned at a bottom end. The system also includes a selectively attachable upper framework positionable above the lateral member and having two opposing vertical support members supporting at least one horizontal member that extends between the two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a top end, a lower end, a vertical elongated cavity along its length, and an outward facing vertical elongated opening to the cavity, the cavity configured for receiving one or more utility distribution fixtures and a mounting mechanism for mounting the lower end of the vertical support members of the upper framework to the top portion of the back leg members.

According to yet another aspect, a method of assembling modular laboratory furniture includes the process of attaching a work surface having a front edge, a back edge, two opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface to a subassembly position below the work surface and on which the work surface is mounted and supported. The method also includes steps of attaching a pair of front legs to the subassembly, and selectively coupling a pair of back leg members to the subassembly proximate to a back corner of the subassembly proximate to the intersection of one of the side lateral supports and an end of the back lateral support, each back leg member having an elongated cavity and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward from the side edge of the work surface defining an elongated vertical opening into the elongated cavity of the leg member. The method further includes selectively attaching an upper framework above the back edge of the work surface, the upper framework having two opposing vertical support members supporting at least one horizontal member that extends between the two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a top end, a lower end that is selectively coupled to a top portion of one of the back leg members, the upper framework also having a vertical elongated cavity along its length and a cross-section that is about twice the size of a cross section of each back leg member, and an outward facing vertical elongated opening to the cavity, the cavity configured for receiving one or more utility distribution fixtures; and securing each vertical support member to one of the back leg members. The attaching the vertical support members of the upper framework can also include inserting an extending member of the lower end of the vertical support member into a top cavity defined in the top portion of the back leg members.

Further aspects of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out below. It should be understood that various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented individually or in combination with one another. It should also be understood that the detailed description and drawings, while indicating certain exemplary embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref> is a top perspective view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to one exemplary embodiment. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref> is a front view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1C</figref> is a side view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1D</figref> is a top view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a top perspective view of certain unassembled components of the module furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a side cut out perspective view of the coupling of the vertical support member of the upper framework to a back leg member according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is side view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a bottom view of the single back leg mounted or attached to the work surface and supporting subassembly without the attached vertical support member being mounted thereto according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref> that are views of the horizontal member of the upper framework according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a top view of the vertical support member of the upper framework along with the attachment of the horizontal member thereto according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a bottom view of the back leg member according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> is a top perspective view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to another exemplary embodiment. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> is a front view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9C</figref> is a side view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9D</figref> is a top view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a top perspective view of certain unassembled components of the module furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a side cut out perspective view of the coupling of the vertical support member of the upper framework to two back leg members according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a side view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a bottom view of the two back-to-back back leg members mounted or attached to the work surface and supporting subassembly without the attached vertical support member being mounted thereto according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14A and 14B</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14A</figref> is a side view of the lower portion of the back to back leg members according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14B</figref> is a bottom view of the lower portion of the back to back legs according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref> is a top perspective view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to another exemplary embodiment. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15B</figref> is a front view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15C</figref> is a side view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15D</figref> is a top view of a modular laboratory furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a top perspective view of certain unassembled components of the module furniture system according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a side cut out perspective view of the coupling of the vertical support member of the upper framework to two back leg members according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a side view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> according to one embodiment of the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> a bottom view of the two back-to-back back leg members mounted or attached to the work surface and supporting subassembly without the attached vertical support member being mounted thereto according to the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> each of which are various views of a free standing standalone service distribution assembly according to one exemplary embodiment thereof.

It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the disclosure's applications or uses.

In one embodiment, system for modular laboratory furniture having a work surface having a front edge, a back edge, two opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface with a subassembly positioned below the work surface and on which the work surface is mounted and supported, the subassembly having a back surface support and two opposing side surface supports and a pair of front legs.

The work surface and the subassembly can define a back leg member mounting receptacle for receiving a back leg member. The subassembly can include one or more leg attachment mounting fixtures positioned for selective alignment with one or more of the leg mounting fixtures.

The various fasteners or mounting mechanisms or the like described herein, such as the leg attachment mounting fixtures, by way of example, can be any available and reasonable suitable fastening means and at any suitable location but in some embodiments at least a top section of the front legs are fixedly coupled to the subassembly. These fastening mechanisms can include bolts, screws, hooks and slots, clips, adhesive, by way of example only and not meant to be limited thereto.

The system further includes a pair of back leg members each selectively couplable or mountable to the subassembly proximate to opposing back corners of the subassembly proximate to the intersection of one of the side work surface supports and an end of the back work surface support. Each back leg member has an elongated cavity along a length of the back leg member extending downward from a top end thereof and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward from the side edge of the work surface and defining an elongated vertical opening into the elongated cavity of each back leg member.

The system also includes a selectively attachable upper framework positionable above the back edge of the work surface, the upper framework having two opposing vertical support members supporting at least one horizontal member that extends between the two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a top end, a lower end, a vertical elongated cavity along its length, a cross-section that is about twice the size of a cross section of one of the back leg members, and an outward facing vertical elongated opening to the cavity, the cavity configured for receiving one or more utility distribution fixtures.

The system further includes a mounting mechanism for mounting the lower end of the vertical support members of the upper framework to a top portion of the back leg members. In some embodiments, the mounting mechanism of each back leg member can include a top cavity and the lower end of each vertical support member can include a mating extended portion for inserting into the top cavity of the back leg member on which the vertical support member is mounted.

In some embodiments, each of the back leg members is a first back leg member and the system further includes a second back leg member selectively secured to the first leg portion forming a back leg assembly. The second back leg member has an elongated cavity and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward from the side edge of the work surface. The elongated cavity of the second back leg member combines with the elongated cavity of the first leg member to define a widened elongated back leg cavity and also forms an elongated vertical opening defined by their combination of the side by side leg member openings. The vertical support member of the upper framework is mounted on the back leg assembly and is attached thereto for supporting and securement of the upper framework above the back edge of the work surface.

In some embodiments, each upper portion of at least one of the first or second back leg members of the back leg assembly on either side of the work surface includes a top cavity. In some cases, each of the two vertical support members of the upper frame includes at least one extending mounting member configured to be received into the top cavity of the back leg. At least of the upper vertical support member and one of the first or second back leg members of the back leg assembly includes a securing fixture for mounting the extending mounting member of the vertical support member thereto.

In some embodiments, a cavity cover is dimensioned and configured for selectively covering the elongated combined vertical openings of both the vertical support member of the upper framework and the elongated vertical openings of the back leg members, whether in the single back leg member embodiment or the back to back combination forming the back leg assembly as described herein. Of course it should be understood that in the alternative, one cover can be configured separately for the elongated vertical opening of the vertical support member with a separately attachable leg member opening cover for covering the leg member opening.

In some embodiments, the work surface is a first work surface, and each second back leg member is a back leg member supporting a second work surface oriented 180 degrees back to back with the first work surface with a back edge of the second work surface being adjacent to the back edge of the first work surface.

In some embodiments, the back leg members of each of the first and second work surfaces are selectively coupled together to form a unified back to back work surface with the upper framework positioned above the back edge of the first work surface and the back edge of the second work surface.

In some embodiments, each of the pair of back leg members on each opposing side of the work surface is a first back leg member. The system can also include a pair of second back leg members each of which is coupled or is couplable to a back portion of one of the first back leg members for forming a back leg assembly. The back leg assembly in the single work surface embodiment will have the second back leg member extending backward and outward from the back edge of the work surface. The upper portion of each of the first and second back leg members can include a mounting mechanism for mounting the lower end of one of the vertical support members.

In some embodiments, the front legs can include an upper section and a lower section selectively coupled to the upper section. The upper section can have a proximate end coupled to the subassembly and the lower end coupling to the lower section. The lower section can have a distal end engaging a floor surface on which the furniture system is placed. In some embodiments, at least one of the upper section and lower section includes a height adjustment fixture for selectively defining a plurality of front leg heights by the selective combination of the upper section and the lower section. Further, since the front leg height can be adjustable by the user, each back leg member can include two or more one leg mounting fixtures proximate to the top end thereof for mounting to the subassembly for selectively mounting at two or more heights the lower leg members thereto. For instance, in some embodiments, at least one fastener coupling the leg to the subassembly using at least one leg mounting fixture and at least one back leg member attachment mounting fixture. The back leg member can include a plurality of leg mounting fixtures positioned spaced apart at various distances along the elongated length of the upper portion of the leg and wherein the leg attachment mounting fixture and leg mounting fixture are configured for selective attachment for fixing the leg to the subassembly at one of a plurality of different positions for varying the height of the back leg member from the work surface to the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, the work surface, subassembly, the pair of front legs and the two back leg members are each a first work surface, a first subassembly and a first pair of front legs, and a first two back leg members, respectively. The system also includes a second work surface, a second subassembly, a second pair of front legs and a second pair of two back legs, the second work surface being oriented 180 degrees from the first work surface with the back edges of each work surface being positioned adjacent to each other, wherein each of the back leg members has at least a portion of a leg-to-leg attachment fixture and wherein each back leg is configured for parallel alignment and coupling of the back leg member of the first work surface to the back leg member of the second work surface for securement thereto. In some embodiments, each pair of coupled back leg members includes an upper portion having a mounting mechanism for mounting a portion of a lower end of one of the vertical support members of the upper frame.

In some embodiments, each upper portion of each coupled leg members includes a top cavity. Each of the two vertical support members of the upper frame includes at least one extending mounting member configured to be received into the top cavity of the back leg member and wherein at least one of the upper vertical support member and one of the first or second back leg members includes a securing fixture for mounting and securing the vertical member of the upper framework to the back leg member. In some embodiments, each back leg member includes a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing away from the side edge of the work surface, and wherein each of the first back leg member and the second back leg member defines an elongated vertical opening into an elongated cavity positioned proximate to each other forming a combined elongated vertical opening there between and combined elongated cavity through the coupling of the two back leg members together.

In some embodiments, a cover is dimensioned and configured for selectively covering the combined elongated vertical opening of the combined first and second back leg members forming the back leg assembly and the elongated opening of the vertical support member mounted thereto.

In some embodiments, the work surface, subassembly, and the pair of front legs are each a first work surface, a first subassembly and a first pair of front legs, respectively. The system further includes a second work surface, a second subassembly, and a second pair of front legs, the second work surface being oriented 180 degrees from the first work surface with the back edges of each work surface being positioned adjacent to each other. The back leg members can be dimensioned for attachment to the back portions of each of the first and second subassemblies for commonly supporting both the first and second work surfaces and for mounting the vertical support members.

In another embodiment, a system for modular laboratory furniture includes a leg support assembly having a pair of opposing leg members with an elongated cavity along a length extending downward from a top end thereof and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward and defining an elongated vertical opening into the elongated cavity of each leg member, the leg support assembly having a lateral member positioned between the two opposing leg members and having a surface mounting member positioned at a bottom end. The system also includes a selectively attachable upper framework positionable above the lateral member and having two opposing vertical support members supporting at least one horizontal member that extends between the two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a top end, a lower end, a vertical elongated cavity along its length, and an outward facing vertical elongated opening to the cavity, the cavity configured for receiving one or more utility distribution fixtures and a mounting mechanism for mounting the lower end of the vertical support members of the upper framework to the top portion of the back leg members.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling modular laboratory furniture includes the process of attaching a work surface having a front edge, a back edge, two opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface to a subassembly position below the work surface and on which the work surface is mounted and supported. The method also includes steps of attaching a pair of front legs to the subassembly, and selectively coupling a pair of back leg members to the subassembly proximate to a back corner of the subassembly proximate to the intersection of one of the side lateral supports and an end of the back lateral support, each back leg member having an elongated cavity and a portion of an outer side that is positioned facing outward from the side edge of the work surface defining an elongated vertical opening into the elongated cavity of the leg member.

The method further includes selectively attaching an upper framework above the back edge of the work surface, the upper framework having two opposing vertical support members supporting at least one horizontal member that extends between the two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a top end, a lower end that is selectively coupled to a top portion of one of the back leg members, the upper framework also having a vertical elongated cavity along its length and a cross-section that is about twice the size of a cross section of each back leg member, and an outward facing vertical elongated opening to the cavity, the cavity configured for receiving one or more utility distribution fixtures; and securing each vertical support member to one of the back leg members. The attaching the vertical support members of the upper framework can also include inserting an extending member of the lower end of the vertical support member into a top cavity defined in the top portion of the back leg members.

In some embodiments, the process of selectively attaching the upper framework can include selectively coupling a lower end of each vertical support member to each of the attached first and second back leg members so that the upper framework is selectively mounted to the attached first and second back leg members. In some embodiments, the process of selectively attaching the upper framework can include inserting a pair of extending members of the lower end of each vertical support member into a pair of top cavities defined in the top portions of each of the first and second back leg members. The method can also include selectively placing a single elongated cover over the vertical elongated opening of the vertical support member and the elongated opening of the back leg member on which the vertical support member is mounted.

In some embodiments, the method includes securing the extending member that is inserted into the top cavity of the top portion of the back leg members for fixedly attaching the upper framework to the back leg members.

In some embodiments wherein the pair of back leg members is a first pair of back leg members, the method can include selectively attaching each of a pair of second back leg members to the first back leg members on a backward facing side thereof with the attached second back leg member extending backward and beyond the back edge of the work surface. The selectively attaching the upper framework can include selectively coupling a lower end of each vertical support member to each of the attached first and second back leg members so that the upper framework is selectively mounted to the attached first and second back leg members. In such embodiments, the method of attaching the vertical support members of the upper framework can include inserting a pair of extending members of the lower end of each vertical support member into a pair of top cavities defined in the top portions of each of the first and second back leg members. The method can also include securing the extending members inserted within the top cavities of the top portions of the back leg members for fixedly attaching the upper framework to the coupled pair of back leg members forming a back leg assembly.

In some embodiments, the method can include selectively placing a single elongated cover over the vertical elongated cavity of the vertical support member and the combined side by side openings of each of the coupled back leg members on which the vertical support member is mounted.

In some embodiments where the work surface, the subassembly, and the pair of front legs are each a first work surface, a first subassembly, a first pair of front legs, the method can include attaching a second work surface to a second subassembly position below the second work surface and on which the second work surface is mounted and supported. This method can include attaching a pair of second front legs to the second subassembly and positioning the coupled second work surface attached to the second subassembly in a back to back position relative to the first work surface so that each back edge is adjacent and abutted against each other and forming a combined work surface. This method can also include selectively attaching the second back legs that are selectively attached to the first back legs to a second subassembly to the second subassembly.

The method can include the process of securing the inserted extending members inserted into the top cavities of the top portions of the back leg members for fixedly attaching the upper vertical members to the coupled pair of back legs on each side of the back side of the combined work surface.

In some embodiments, the method can include selectively placing a single elongated cover over the vertical elongated cavity of the vertical support member and the combined opening formed by the side by side positioning of the elongated openings of the combined and coupled first and second back leg members on which the vertical support member is mounted.

Referring now to the drawings for a description of several exemplary embodiments. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-8</figref> reflect various configurations, features and options referred herein as a first exemplary embodiment. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> includes <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>, a top perspective view of a modular laboratory furniture system <b>100</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref> a front view, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1C</figref> a side view, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1D</figref> a top view. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrated a perspective view of a portion of the unassembled components of the module furniture system <b>100</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a side perspective view of cutout section <b>3</b>-<b>3</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is the side cut out view of section <b>4</b>-<b>4</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1C</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is the top view of cut out section <b>5</b>-<b>5</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1D</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> illustrates an optional side view showing elongated cover in place and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref> shows a top view of the detached upper framework. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a cut out top view of the vertical support member and the horizontal member of the upper framework of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a bottom view of the back leg member. These Figures will not be described with reference to each and their common and different elements.

As shown, furniture system <b>100</b> includes a work surface <b>102</b> that has a top surface <b>110</b> and a bottom <b>112</b>, with a front edge <b>104</b>, a back edge <b>106</b> and two opposing side edges <b>108</b>. This is shown as a rectangle work surface <b>102</b>, but other shapes of the work surface <b>102</b> are also possible. The work surface <b>102</b> is mounted and supported by a subassembly <b>114</b> that typically has a back surface support <b>126</b>, two opposing side surface supports <b>128</b> and can also include a front surface support <b>127</b>. The subassembly <b>114</b> is supported by front legs <b>116</b> and back leg members <b>118</b>. As will be discussed, the present disclosure addresses the improvements that are related to the back leg members <b>118</b> and the flexibility of the back leg members <b>118</b> as well as improvements to these other work surface elements. The back leg members <b>118</b> are positioned at the opposing back corners of the work surface <b>102</b> such as in a mounting receptacle <b>170</b> formed in the work surface <b>102</b> and similarly formed in the subassembly <b>114</b>. Each back leg member <b>118</b> has a top cavity <b>150</b> positioned at the top end <b>154</b> of the back leg member. Each back leg member <b>118</b> has a back surface portion <b>161</b> that is substantially flat and also has one or more back leg mounting mechanisms <b>164</b> for mounting the back leg members <b>118</b> to the subassembly <b>114</b> when the back leg member <b>118</b> is positioned in the mounting receptacle of the work surface <b>102</b>. The leg mounting mechanisms <b>164</b> can include a plurality of spaced apart features to enable the attachment of the back leg members <b>118</b> to the subassembly <b>114</b> at various positions for varying the height of the work surface <b>102</b>. The subassembly <b>114</b> can include a securing fixture <b>146</b> having one or more subassembly mounts <b>147</b> for the back leg members <b>118</b> for engagement or coupling or otherwise engagement with the back leg mounting mechanisms <b>164</b>. These securing fixtures <b>146</b> and subassembly mounts <b>147</b> can be on the back surface support <b>126</b> and/or the side surface support <b>128</b> of the subassembly <b>114</b>.

As the back leg member <b>118</b> includes back leg mounting mechanism <b>164</b> for selectively defining the height of the back leg member <b>118</b> and therefore the height of the work surface <b>102</b> from the mounting surface or floor, the front legs <b>116</b> can be configured with a height adjustment feature <b>212</b> as well. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref>, each front leg <b>116</b> can include a top section <b>202</b> that is mounted or mountable to the subassembly <b>114</b> and a bottom or lower leg section <b>204</b> having a distal end <b>208</b> for placement or engagement with the mounting surface. A lower portion <b>206</b> of the top section <b>202</b> can selectively engage an upper portion <b>210</b> of the lower section <b>204</b> and include fixtures and other configuration for selectively defining the working height of the front legs <b>116</b> as necessary to level the work surface <b>102</b> consistent with the height of the back leg members <b>118</b> as well as the mounting surface.

Each back leg member <b>118</b> has an elongated cavity <b>120</b> positioned along a length of the back leg member <b>118</b> typically extending downward from a top end <b>154</b> of the back leg member <b>118</b> for receiving one or more user service utilities <b>222</b> such as electrical wiring, and piping for gas or water or other fluids. For ease of access, each back leg has an outer side <b>122</b> that is positioned facing outward from the side edge <b>108</b> of the work surface <b>102</b> and also has an elongated vertical opening <b>124</b> to the elongated cavity <b>120</b> of each back leg member <b>118</b>, again for ease of access, maintenance and for modification and changes thereto. A cover <b>190</b> is dimensioned and configured for placement over the opening <b>124</b> for selectively covering and sealing the opening <b>124</b> and for providing an improved aesthetic to the installed furniture system during operation in a laboratory. The back leg member <b>118</b> can be of any shape or any size, but in the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, has a cross sectional area d2 and size such that the back leg member <b>118</b> does not extend beyond the back edge <b>106</b> of the work surface <b>102</b>.

The furniture system <b>100</b> also includes a utilitarian distribution center in the form of an upper framework <b>130</b>. The upper framework <b>130</b> includes two opposing vertical supports or vertical support members <b>132</b> and one or more horizontal members <b>134</b>. The vertical support members <b>132</b> have a top end <b>136</b> and a lower end <b>138</b> and define an elongated cavity <b>140</b> for receiving a maintaining user service utilities as well as in some embodiments one or more utility distribution fixtures <b>224</b>, such as electrical outlets, by way of example. The horizontal members <b>134</b> can also include one or more distribution fixtures <b>224</b> and also include cavities coupled to the cavities <b>140</b> of the vertical support members <b>132</b> for distribution of the user service utilities <b>222</b> there between. One or more shelves <b>135</b> can be positioned on the horizontal members <b>134</b> as well. An elongated opening <b>142</b> is defined in the outwardly facing side or surface of the vertical support <b>132</b> for ease of installation and maintenance and removal of the user service utilities <b>222</b> from the elongated cavity <b>140</b>. The cover <b>190</b> can also be dimensioned and configured for selectively covering the opening <b>142</b>. The cover <b>190</b> can be elongated and dimensioned and configured to selectively cover both opening <b>142</b> of the vertical support <b>132</b> as well as the opening <b>124</b> of the back leg member <b>118</b>.

A securing fixture <b>146</b> is provided for attaching the vertical support <b>132</b> to the back leg member <b>118</b>, typically about the top end <b>154</b> of the back leg member <b>118</b>. In this illustrated embodiment, the upper framework <b>130</b> includes an extending member <b>160</b> such as a tube <b>160</b> that extends downward from the lower end <b>138</b> of the vertical support <b>132</b>. The back leg member <b>118</b> has a top cavity <b>150</b> configured for receiving the extending member <b>160</b>. One or more mounting fixtures or subassembly mounts <b>147</b> are provided with the securing fixture <b>146</b> for selectively securing the mounting of the vertical support <b>132</b> to the back leg member <b>118</b>. The cavity <b>140</b> of the vertical support <b>132</b> is aligned and continuous with the cavity <b>120</b> of the back leg member <b>118</b>. Further, the opening <b>142</b> of the cavity <b>140</b> of the vertical support <b>132</b> can also be aligned and continuous with the opening <b>124</b> to cavity <b>120</b> of the back leg member. In this manner, the user service utilities <b>222</b> such as electrical wires and fluid pipes can be placed within the combined cavity <b>120</b>, <b>140</b> and access from openings <b>124</b>, <b>142</b> when any cover <b>190</b> is not in place.

As shown in this embodiment, the cross sectional area d1 of the vertical support <b>132</b> is twice the size from front to back as d2 of the back leg member <b>118</b>. As such, when the vertical support <b>132</b> is mounted to a single back leg member <b>118</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the vertical support <b>132</b> will extend backward and beyond the back edge <b>106</b> of the work surface <b>102</b>. In this embodiment, the work surface <b>102</b> can be dimensioned outwardly to correspond with the back extended end of the back of the vertical support <b>132</b>, or in some embodiments, a separate spacer can be placed along the back edge <b>106</b> of the work surface to fill in the space so that the work surface <b>102</b> can be placed flush against a wall when the back side of the upper framework <b>130</b> is also placed against the wall. This also applies in embodiments as will be described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> below, as it generally applies in embodiments where there is a single work surface <b>102</b>, e.g., not a dual or back to back work surface as provided by the exemplary embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> as will be discussed below in further detail.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-14</figref> are now referred to for different embodiment of the furniture system. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> is a top perspective view of a modular laboratory furniture, with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> being a front view, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9C</figref> a side view, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9D</figref> being a top view thereof. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a top perspective view of certain unassembled components of the module furniture system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a side cut out perspective view of the section <b>11</b>-<b>11</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a side view of the section <b>12</b>-<b>12</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9C</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a top view of section <b>13</b>-<b>13</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9D</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14A</figref> is a side view of the lower portion of the back to back leg members of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14B</figref> is a bottom view of the lower portion of the back to back leg member thereof.

The embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-14</figref> is similar to that addressed above with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-8</figref> but are different as the back leg member <b>118</b> of the prior discussion is supplemented with a back leg assembly <b>162</b> formed from the coupling of a first leg member <b>118</b>A and a second leg member <b>118</b>B. The back leg members <b>118</b>A, <b>118</b>B are dimensions and have a cross sectional area d2 that when combined equal or is substantially the same as the cross sectional area d1 of the vertical support <b>132</b>. As shown, the first back leg member <b>118</b>A has back surface <b>161</b>A and second back leg member <b>118</b>B has back surface <b>161</b>B. When placed in a back to back position as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the two leg members <b>118</b>A, <b>118</b>B can be secured together by leg to leg attachment fixtures <b>152</b> thereby stabilizing them as the back leg assembly <b>162</b>.

In this manner, when the vertical support <b>132</b> is mounted to the back leg assembly <b>162</b>, the combination provides a continuous cavity <b>140</b> into the combined cavity <b>174</b> comprised of the back to back placement of the first cavity <b>120</b>A of first back leg member <b>118</b>A and the second cavity <b>120</b>B of the second back leg member <b>118</b>B. Further the wider opening <b>142</b> of the vertical member can now be continuous with the combined width of the first opening <b>124</b>A of the first back leg member <b>118</b>A with that of the second opening <b>124</b>B of the second back leg member <b>118</b>B.

Further, as there is now two back leg member <b>118</b>A, <b>118</b>B on which to mount the vertical support <b>132</b>, the vertical support <b>132</b> can include two extending members <b>160</b>A and <b>160</b>B each for placement in a different top cavity <b>150</b>A and <b>150</b>B of back legs <b>118</b>A and <b>118</b>B, respectively. Two securing fixture assemblies <b>146</b>A, <b>146</b>B include one or more securing subassembly mounts <b>147</b>A securing extending member <b>160</b>A within cavity <b>150</b>A and therefore to back leg member <b>118</b>A, and one or more securing subassembly mounts <b>147</b>B securing extending member <b>160</b>B within cavity <b>150</b>B and therefore to back leg member <b>118</b>B.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15-19</figref> are now referred to for yet another different embodiment of the furniture system. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref> is a top perspective view of a modular laboratory furniture, with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15B</figref> being a front view, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15C</figref> a side view, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15D</figref> being a top view thereof. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a top perspective view of certain unassembled components of the module furniture system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a side cut out perspective view of the section <b>11</b>-<b>11</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a side view of the section <b>18</b>-<b>18</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15C</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a top view of section <b>19</b>-<b>19</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15D</figref>.

The embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15-19</figref> represents the flexibility of the presently disclosed furniture system. This embodiment is not a different system, but an assembled variation of the systems as described above with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-14</figref> but having two work surfaces <b>102</b>A, <b>102</b>B positioned to form furniture system <b>200</b> having a combined work surface <b>180</b>. When compared to the first embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-14</figref>, this illustrated system <b>200</b> has first work surface <b>102</b>A with first mounting receptacle <b>170</b>A and first leg member <b>118</b>A and first side support <b>128</b>A mounted below first side edge <b>108</b>A. However, it also has the second back leg member <b>118</b>B mounted in place. The second work surface <b>102</b>B has side edge <b>108</b>B and includes the second receptacle <b>170</b>B. The second work surface <b>102</b>B is mounted to a second subassembly <b>114</b>B that includes the second side supports <b>128</b>B and is also supported by second front legs <b>116</b>B. In this manner, the second work surface <b>102</b>B is positioned 180 degrees relative or in orientation to the first work surface <b>102</b>A but with the second back edge <b>106</b>B adjacent to and up against the first back edge <b>106</b>B thus forming the combined work surface <b>180</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, the back leg assembly <b>162</b> includes the back to back positioned first and second leg members <b>118</b>A, <b>118</b>B coupled along back surfaces <b>161</b>A, <b>161</b>B by one or more fasteners <b>152</b>. The combined cavity <b>174</b> is formed by the combined side by side positioning of the first cavity <b>120</b>A with second cavity <b>120</b>B. Similarly, the combined opening <b>176</b> to the combined cavity <b>174</b> is formed by the side by side positioning of the first opening <b>124</b>A with the second opening <b>124</b>B between or on the outer side <b>122</b>A of the first leg member <b>118</b>A and the outer side <b>122</b>B of the second leg member <b>118</b>B.

Where the back leg assembly <b>162</b> is already installed with the first and second back leg members <b>118</b>A and <b>118</b>B coupled together, the upper framework <b>130</b> can already have been placed or mounted by mounting the vertical member <b>132</b> to the back leg assembly <b>162</b> as described above. The user service utilities <b>222</b> can remain in place with minimal changes. The upper framework <b>130</b> also already had the horizontal members <b>134</b> in place above the back edge <b>106</b> of the first work surface <b>102</b>A. Once the second work surface <b>102</b>B is mounted via second subassembly <b>114</b>B to the second back leg members <b>118</b>B, the second shelving <b>135</b>B can be added if desired for access by a user of the second work surface <b>102</b>B when positioned along second front edge <b>104</b>B. This is as opposed to a user positioned along first front edge <b>104</b>A that accesses first shelving <b>135</b>A.

Referring now to another embodiment shown in the Figures, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> consisting of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> that are various views of a free standing standalone service distribution assembly <b>300</b>.

This embodiment further illustrates the flexibility of the presently disclosed furniture system. The system <b>300</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, includes the same upper framework <b>130</b> with the vertical supports <b>132</b> and the horizontal member <b>134</b> as previously discussed, but in system <b>300</b>, the upper framework <b>130</b> is mounted to a free standing base <b>302</b> rather than being mounted to a back leg member <b>118</b> that in part supported a work surface <b>102</b>. In this embodiment, free standing base <b>302</b> has a lower vertical support leg <b>304</b> with the cavity <b>120</b> and opening <b>124</b> as described above for the back leg member <b>118</b>. However, the cavity <b>120</b> is open at the top end of the vertical support leg <b>304</b>. The distal end of the vertical support leg <b>304</b> terminates with a mounting to a surface mount <b>308</b>, which as illustrated in this embodiment can be an assembly having opposing front and rear surface mount extensions. A horizontal member <b>306</b> couples the two opposing vertical support legs <b>304</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20B and 20C</figref> illustrate the upper framework <b>130</b> being mounted onto the free standing base <b>302</b>. In this configuration, the system <b>300</b> enables a user to utilize the distribution services of the user service utilities within the cavity <b>140</b> of the upper framework <b>130</b> but removing the work surface <b>102</b> and subassembly <b>114</b> with front legs <b>116</b> therefrom, but utilize other forms of furniture or equipment such as test equipment or systems having their own housings or cabinetry or with other forms of laboratory furniture systems such as legacy furniture. Also as shown in these figures, but as can apply to all embodiments, the service access <b>220</b> to external service supplies such as electrical wiring or service, water or gas or the like, can be provided from a top access to the upper frame work <b>130</b> for providing to the cavity <b>140</b> thereof. Of course, those of skill in the art will understand that service access <b>220</b> can also be provided from underneath the floor, or from a wall and as such, the service access <b>220</b> can be provided via the back leg members <b>118</b> for feeding upward rather than as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20B and 20C</figref> and feeding downward.

As described with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-20</figref>, the various embodiments and configurations illustrate the flexibility and improvement of laboratory furniture. For example, once an upper framework <b>130</b> is installed such as with user services via service access <b>220</b>, the user can change the working environment for the system from a single sided work station of system <b>100</b> and <b>200</b>, to a dual sided work station of system <b>300</b>, or remove the work stations altogether and only utilize the free standing system of system <b>400</b>. Each provides ease of access to the user service utilities within cavities <b>140</b> and <b>120</b> and each provides for the aesthetic and protective selective covering of the openings <b>142</b> and <b>124</b> to the cavities.

When describing elements or features and/or embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features beyond those specifically described.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments and implementations described above without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is further to be understood that the processes or steps described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative processes or steps may be employed.